Lead-acid batteries, often used in vehicles, employ a sulfuric acid (H2SO4) solution as their electrolyte. The acidic solution helps transport charge between the lead electrodes, allowing the battery to store and release energy.
Normally, as the lead–acid batteries discharge, lead sulfate crystals are formed on the plates. Then during charging, a reversed electrochemical reaction takes place to decompose lead sulfate back to lead on the negative electrode and lead oxide on the positive electrode.
Current collectors in lead acid batteries are made of lead, leading to the low-energy density. In addition, lead is prone to corrosion when exposed to the sulfuric acid electrolyte. SLI applications make use of flat-plate grid designs as the current collectors, whereas more advanced batteries use tubular designs.
One of the singular advantages of lead acid batteries is that they are the most commonly used form of battery for most rechargeable battery applications (for example, in starting car engines), and therefore have a well-established established, mature technology base.
Potential problems encountered in lead acid batteries include: Gassing: Evolution of hydrogen and oxygen gas. Gassing of the battery leads to safety problems and to water loss from the electrolyte. The water loss increases the maintenance requirements of the battery since the water must periodically be checked and replaced.
Safety needs to be considered for all energy storage installations. Lead batteries provide a safe system with an aqueous electrolyte and active materials that are not flammable. In a fire, the battery cases will burn but the risk of this is low, especially if flame retardant materials are specified.
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The lead–acid cell can be demonstrated using sheet lead plates for the two electrodes. However, such a construction produces only around one ampere for roughly postcard-sized plates, and for only a few minutes. Gaston Planté found a way to provide a much larger effective surface area. In Planté''s design, the positive and negative plates were formed of two spirals o…